Indirectly illuminated globe assembly



June 9, 1953 R. R. DUPLER INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED GLOBE ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 5, 1949 INVENTOR. Raymond K Oup/er @Mm (MGM.

ATTORALE Y Patented June 9, 1953 INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED GLOBE ASSEMBLY Raymond B. Dupler, Toledo, Ohio Application November 5, 1949, Serial No. 125,757 1 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-2) This invention relates to illuminated globes, but particularly to those of relatively large diameter and which contain suitable legends such as maps, and an object is to produce a new and improved mounting for an illuminated globe in which the source of illuminating source or lamp globe.

Another object is to produce an illuminated globe assembly having the novel features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described. 7

By way of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a terrestrial globe mounted in a supporting standard;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevation substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragment of the globe and covering sheet.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention light is outside of the globe and insulated from it so that the heat from the does not affect the comprises a supporting standard for a globe G of glass or other suitable transparent or translucent material, the standard consisting of a cylindrical housing IE3 which is open at its top and thereon is supported a substantially flat annular rim member H which projects laterally both inwardly and outwardly of the side walls of the housing Ill. The housing H) is supported by a series of depending legs I2 in order to elevate the housing from the floor or supporting surface. The globe G is covered by a sheet l3 of paper, parchment or the like, on which is depicted a terrestrial map or other desired legend, such sheet being glued or otherwise adhered to the outer surface of the globe.

The globe is supported at diametrically opposed points by suitable supports M to enable rotation of the globe, these supports being attached to a metal meridian ring l5 which in turn is supported by rollers it in suitable bracket arms [1 attached to the inner wall of the housing l0. Thus it will be manifest that the globe G may be rotated about the pin supports l4 and the entire globe may be turned by turning of the meridian ring l5.

It is desired to illuminate the globe to enable it to be inspected or examined more readily. In the case of relatively large globes, it is desired that the lamps or source of illumination be accessible without moving the globe. Thus ad- 2 vantageously the source of illumination is outside of the globe rather than have it project within the globe. Furthermore, globes of this character are often made of a plastic material which expands and contracts in response totemperature conditions and :in such case, it is preferable that the heat from the lamp be kept from afiecting the globe.

As shown, a ring 18 is arranged in the inside of the housing Ill and is suitably secured to the inner walls thereof. Abutting the under side of the ring l8 and closing the opening thereof is a plate 19 of glass or other suitable transparent or translucent material, this plate being arranged directly beneath the globe G. For holding the plate ill in place, a clamping ring 20 00- operates with the inner edge portion of the ring [8 to clamp the edge portion of the plate. The clamping ring 28 is held in place by a series of cap screws 2|, the heads of which lie above the supporting ring 18 and depend through apertures in the rings [8 and 2B, nuts 22 retaining the clamping ring 21) in position.

The screws 2| extend substantially below the ring 2|] and at their lower portions support a lamp unit which consists of a flanged tray-like casing 23 which has a reflecting surface for directing the light rays through the plate [9 to the globe G. Covering the top or open end of the casing 23 is a plate 24 of glass or other suitable transparent or translucent sheet material. Arranged within the casing 23 is a plurality of fluorescent tubes 25 in coil form'to which current is supplied through leads 26. Manifestly, the lamp unit is spaced a distance beneath the plate l9 suflicient to provide an air chamber or space and to militate against heat from the lamp hitting the plate l9 and thus transmitting it to the globe G. The lower ends of the cap screws 2| pass through openings in the plate 24 and the flange of the casing 23 and wing nuts 21 cooperate with nuts 28 to secure these parts in position. The arrangement is such that by loosening the nuts 28 and adjusting the wing nuts 21, the lamp unit can be adjusted closer to or farther away from the translucent plate [9. thus securing the desired degree of illumination.

The lower end of the housing i0 is closed by a plate 29 in which there is a central opening 30. Side walls of the housing It below the plate I9 have a plurality of apertures 3!, thereby to vent the heated air from the inside of the chamber containing the lamp unit through the openings 3i, and allowing the outside air to enter 3 through the opening 30 as indicated by the arrows.

From the above description, it will be manifest that I have produced a simple and practical mounting for a globe which although indirectly illuminated in an exceedingly satisfactory manner, nevertheless is shielded from the heat emanating from the illumination source. The chamber containing the lamp unit is vented so that the heat generated therein does not become excessive. The degree of illumination may be varied by a simple adjustment of the position of the lamp unit relative to the globe. In order to effect such adjustment, the plate 29 which is removably secured by a series of wing nuts, may be first removed to gain access to the adjusting means. 7

It is to be understood that numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and 0p eration may be efiected without'departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is;

An indirectly illuminated globe assembly comprising a housing having side Walls, a ring extending inwardly from said side Walls and separating the housing into upper and lower 00m! 4 a partments, a translucent legend-bearing globe in the upper compartment, a translucent plate car ried by the ring and covering the opening therea in, threaded rod means depending from said ring,

a second translucent plate below said first plate and carried by said rod means, a flanged trayr- 7' line casing having a reflecting surface directly beneath said second plate and carried by said rod'me ans, fluorescenttubes in coil form within said casing, and adjusting elements on the lower end of said rod means whereby to support said second plate and casing and to enable adjusting movement thereof toward and away from said first plate.

RAYMOND R. DUPLERQ References Cited in the file of this patent 'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 140,390 Deutsch Feb. 20, 1945 945,311 Fendrich Jan. 4, 1910 1,389,132 Gala-van Aug. 30, 1921 2,279,162 Dupler Apr. 7, 19.42 2,295,363 Paradis Sept. 15, 1942' 2,499,185

Work Dec. 6, 1949 

